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MONSTER ENERGY® KAWASAKI RIDERS CAPTURE PODIUM FINISHES AT THE SEASON OPENER OF THE MONSTER ENERGY® AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Foothill Ranch, Calif. (January 7, 2024) - Monster Energy® Kawasaki rider Jason Anderson secured a runner-up finish aboard his KX™450SR in the 450SX Main Event on Saturday night. Joining him with a podium finish on his debut for Monster Energy®/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki, rider Levi Kitchen clinched a third place finish in the 250SX Main Event at the opening round of the Monster Energy® AMA Supercross Championship. Monster Energy®/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Maximus Vohland brought home the win in 250SX Heat 2 and fifth in the 250SX Main Event, and Monster Energy® Kawasaki rider Adam Cianciarulo landed in the 12th spot in the 450SX Main Event.
Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, has been a traditional venue for the opening round of the AMA Supercross series for the last few decades in Supercross’ 50 year history. The event kicks off the Monster Energy® AMA Supercross to begin the 2024 SuperMotocross World Championship. Anaheim 1 attracts top riders from around the world, and it serves as a showcase for racers talent and skill. The event is an exciting start to the championship known for its high-energy atmosphere, passionate fans, and weighing on riders who aim to make a strong impression in the first race of the season.
Anderson opened up the season qualifying in seventh, with Cianciarulo in 15th. Both Kawasaki riders persevered through Heat 2, the No. 21 finishing second and the No. 9 finishing sixth, securing solid gate picks for the main. In the 450SX Main Event, Cianciarulo battled within the Top 10 throughout the race, ultimately finishing 12th. Anderson briefly grabbed the lead out of Turn 1 and settled into second place. The No 21 stayed within striking distance of the leader, holding off a strong charge from behind to finish in second place to start the season.
Kitchen started off the season strong securing the fastest overall qualifying position, while teammate Vohland qualified fifth. In their Heat 2, the No. 20 of Vohland quickly overtook the lead and never looked back, securing his first career Heat Race win aboard his Kawasaki. Kitchen ran up behind his teammate until a tip-over sent him to the back. The No. 47 battled through the pack, finishing seventh. In the main event, both Monster Energy®/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki riders pulled great starts battling consistently through the race. After both battling for the podium, Vohland finished the 250SX Main Event in fifth, and Kitchen landed his first podium of the season, finishing third.
“Today started out pretty good. In practice I was consistent in the Top 5, and in qualifying I ended up seventh, which I was satisfied with. I had a good gate pick and was able to finish second, and tried to get the track dialed and prepare for the main event. In the main event I hopped into the lead down the first rhythm lane until Jett (Lawrence) passed me. It was really cool to get to battle with the guys and I had a great time. Overall it was a good day with my Monster Energy® Kawasaki team.”
- Jason Anderson
“Anaheim 1 is done and dusted and there’s room for improvement. It was a rough day for us. I felt uncomfortable on the track but my Monster Energy® Kawasaki team helped me get through it and improve. I was happy that I stayed patient and didn’t make any critical mistakes. I had an okay heat race, but I need to get a better jump out of the gate. In the main event I was hung up on the start and was running in the Top 10 for most of the race. I know I’m a lot better than my results showed speed wise, and it’s frustrating but that’s racing. I’m ready to get back to work this week and will be ready to get the KX™450SR closer to the front next weekend.”
- Adam Cianciarulo
“It was a pretty good day for me. I felt great in practice and qualifying went really well being the fastest overall qualifier. In the heat race I had a pretty good start and ended up crashing which I wasn’t stoked on. I ended up making my way back up through the pack but still didn’t have a solid gate pick for the main event. I executed the start really well and got out front early until I made a mistake and started to panic and lost a few positions. I regained my focus and made some passes up towards the front and ended up on the podium. It’s A1 and a great start on my new Monster Energy®/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team so I can’t be too mad, but I want to win. I got all the nerves out and I’m looking forward to next weekend.”
- Levi Kitchen
“I had a good day here in Anaheim and a good night show. I felt really good all day throughout qualifying and practice staying in the Top 5 until the heat race. I had a good jump in the heat race and rode really well. I took over the lead early and managed my race, which is new for me. Being out front felt good; it felt like I was back to where I needed to be. I ended up getting my first heat win which is another stepping stone to keep improving. In the main I felt loose and relaxed after bringing home the heat win. I had a good start and was moving up from seventh to third until the red cross flag came out in the rhythm section. I gained a lot of time there so I feel like I lost a ton of momentum when we couldn’t race through that section. Besides that I rode really well and came out in the Top 5 for the first round. We have plenty of more races to go and I feel comfortable and confident, ready for next weekend!”
- Maximus Vohland